Local Theaters End Seasons on High Notes

Florida Rep and Gulfshore Playhouse have great momentum heading into their 2014-15 slate.

By David Sendler

The cast of All My Sons at Gulfshore Playhouse.

A standing O for two local theaters with their finishing kicks this season. I’m talking, in particular, about two profoundly affecting productions—Clybourne Park, directed by Bob Cacioppo at the Florida Repertory Theatre and All My Sons, directed by Kristen Coury at the Gulfshore Playhouse.

It was quite an experience in Clybourne Park to come away with lacerating insights on race, neighborhoods, territorial imperatives—mostly delivered through humor. And just when you think it’s done, you get a surprising and profoundly touching scene at the conclusion that just defines great theater.

All My Sons, the Arthur Miller drama, explores family dynamics, personal and business ethics and responsibility and builds inevitably to revelations that will change the characters lives forever. The performers do wonders in this charged atmosphere, and here, too, we come to better understanding of human failings and their consequences and get one final jolt at the very end.

Bob and Kristen have told me they feel these productions represent some of their finest work ever and the full-house audiences seemed to agree. We can hardly wait till next season to see if they can top themselves. It will take some doing.